News overview

This March the ice extent in the Antarctic was significantly below the long-term mean for 1981 – 2010 for another consecutive year. A lasting change in the Antarctic’s sea-ice situation is becoming increasingly likely. In addition, the Arctic sea ice reached its maximum…

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In 2024, the sea-ice minimum in the Antarctic is similarly low to last year. Meanwhile, the sea-ice cover in the Arctic has reached its maximum, which clearly surpasses the long-term trend.

While the Arctic sea ice is growing steadily, in the Antarctic, the sea ice is at a record low for the season.

This year, at the end of summer there’s more snow cover than melt ponds on the Arctic sea ice, and the ice is thicker than in previous years. Nevertheless, the trend of summer ice retreat continues.

Though it’s winter in the Antarctic, the sea-ice cover is worryingly low.

Although the sea ice is likely to retreat further in the next few days, a new record low is unlikely.

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Following the record minimum in February and the monthly low in May, the month of June was also characterised by unprecedentedly low sea-ice cover in the Antarctic.

In the Antarctic, the freezing season is off to a sluggish start, as the unprecedentedly low sea-ice extent for this time of year shows.